Fan assembly

ABSTRACT

A fan assembly includes a rack, a fan, and a shield. The rack defines a first vent opening and a second vent opening. A pair of notches are located adjacent the first vent opening. The fan is aligned with the second vent opening. The shield is aligned with the first vent opening. A pair of symmetrical locks are connected to the shield. Each of the pair of locks includes an engaging tab which comprises a slant guiding edge. The engaging tabs are configured to move between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the engaging tabs are engaged in the pair of notches to secure the shield in the rack. In the release position, the engaging tabs are guided by the guiding edges to escape from the pair of notches by elastically bent the pair of locks towards each other.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fan assemblies, and more particularly to a fan assembly in an electronic device for dissipating heat from the electronic device.

2. Description of Related Art

A large amount of heat may be generated from electric components of an electronic device during operation. If the heat is not dissipated efficiently, the electric components may be damaged. Therefore, efficient heat-dissipating devices are desired.

A fan is often used as a means to dissipate the heat from the electronic device. Conventionally, a rack is provided for receiving a plurality of fans. A plurality of through holes is defined in the rack for venting air. However, debris or air particles may contaminate the electronic device via the plurality of through holes. The contaminate may cause damage to the electronic device.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded and isometric view of a fan assembly of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a shield of the fan assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the fan assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another assembled view of the fan assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another assembled view of the fan assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a fan assembly in accordance with an embodiment. The fan assembly includes a rack 20, a fan 30, and a shield 40.

The rack 20 includes a first side wall 21 and a parallel second side wall 23. After the rack 20 is mounted in an electronic device, the second side wall 23 is located inside the electronic device, and the first side wall 21 is located outside of the electronic device. A plurality of partitions 25 are secured between the first side wall 21 and the second side wall 23 to form a plurality of receiving rooms 27 in the rack 20. Each of the receiving rooms 27 is adapted to receive the fan 30 and the shield 40. The first side wall 21 defines a first vent opening 211 and a pair of notches 213 corresponding to each of the receiving rooms 27. The pair of notches 213 are located above the first vent opening 211. The second side wall 23 defines a second vent opening 231 corresponding to each of the receiving rooms 27. The first vent opening 211 is aligned with the second vent opening 231. Each of the partitions 25 forms a limiting piece 251 separating a corresponding one of the plurality of receiving rooms 27 into a fan receiving room 28 and a shield receiving room 29. A distance between the second side wall 23 and the limiting piece 251 is larger than that between the first side wall 21 and the limiting piece 251. The fan receiving room 28 is located adjacent the second side wall 23. The shield receiving room 29 is located adjacent the first side wall 21. Each of the plurality of partitions 25 defines a mounting hole 253. The first side wall 21 includes an inner side 215 and an outer side 216. The inner side 215 faces to the second side wall 23. The outer side 216 faces back to the second side wall 23.

The fan 30 includes a shell 31 and a group of blades (not labeled) rotatably mounted in the shell 31. The shell 31 includes a side plate 34. An elastic piece 35 is located on the side plate 34. A protrusion 351 is formed on the elastic piece 35.

FIGS. 2 and 3, show one embodiment of the shield 40. The shield 40 includes a frame 41. A top portion of the frame 41 extends upward to form a pair of symmetric locks 43. Each of the pair of locks 43 includes a connection piece 431, a bent piece 432, and a clasp piece 433. The connection piece 431 is connected to the frame 41. The bent piece 432 is perpendicularly connected to a distal end of the connection piece 431. The bent piece 432 can be elastically distorted. The clasp piece 433 is perpendicularly connected to a top end of the bent piece 432. A handle 435 is connected to a free end of the clasp piece 433. A receiving hole 436 is defined in the handle 435. An engaging tab 437 is connected to an edge of the clasp piece 433. The engaging tab 437 is formed in a triangle. The engaging tab 437 includes a blocking edge 438 which is perpendicular to the edge of the clasp piece 433. The engaging tab 437 further includes a guiding edge 439, which is slantingly connected to the edge of the clasp piece 433. The blocking edge 438 is adjacent to the bent piece 432. The guiding edge 439 is adjacent to the handle 435.

A center portion of the frame 41 is hollow, and a frame opening 418 is located in the center portion of the frame 14. A plurality of shielding pieces 46 are pivotally mounted in the frame opening 418. Each of the plurality of shielding pieces 46 includes a rotating portion 467 and a free portion 468. The rotating portion 467 is pivotably mounted on the frame 41. Each of the plurality of shielding pieces 46 includes a first face 461 and a second face (not shown), opposite to the first face 461. Between adjacent two of the shielding pieces 46, the second face of the free portion 468 of one of the shielding pieces 46 is located on the first face 461 of the rotating portion 467 of another one of the shielding pieces 46. All of the shielding pieces 46 can shield the entire frame opening 418. The frame 41 forms a plurality of bars 417 corresponding to the plurality of the shielding pieces 46. The bars 417 can prevent the shielding pieces 46 from excessive rotation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, in assembly of the fan assembly, the fan 30 is placed into the fan receiving room 28 of one of the receiving rooms 27. The elastic piece 35 is elastically bent by each of the partitions 25. The fan 30 is moved until the protrusion 351 aligns with the mounting hole 253. The elastic piece 35 rebounds inserting the protrusion 351 in the mounting hole 253 to mount the fan 30 in each of the receiving rooms 27. In this position, the fan 30 is aligned with the second vent opening 231.

The shield 40 is placed into the shield receiving room 29 of one of the receiving rooms 27. The second face of each shielding piece 46 faces the fan 30. The shield 40 moves in the shield receiving room 29 until the engaging tabs 437 abut a top edge of the first side wall 21. Fingers of user are inserted in the receiving holes 436 to elastically distort the bent piece 432. The engaging tabs 437 escapes from the top edge of the first side wall 21. The shield 40 continues to move in the shield receiving room 29 until the engaging tabs 437 are aligned with the pair of notches 213 of the first side wall 21. The bent piece 432 rebounds to mount the engaging tabs 437 in the pair of notches 213. The blocking edge 438 abuts an edge of the corresponding notch 213. The shield 40 is mounted in the shield receiving room 29. At this position, the first face 461 of each shielding piece 46 faces to the first vent opening 211.

When the fan assembly is mounted on the electronic device and the fan 30 operates, the fan 30 rotates to drive air to flow into the fan 30 via the second vent opening 231. Air flows through the fan 30 and towards the second faces of the plurality of shielding pieces 46 of the shield 40. Each of the shielding pieces 46 is blown to rotate in the frame opening 418 until the bars 417 block corresponding shielding pieces 46. Therefore, an air passage 80 (referring to FIG. 5) is defined between two adjacent shielding pieces 46. Air flows out of the rack 20 via the air passages 80. Each of the bars 417 blocks the corresponding shielding piece 46 to prevent over-rotation.

If the fan 30 does not rotate, the shielding pieces 46 succumb to gravity to automatically shield the air passages 80 and the fame opening. Therefore, debris or air particles cannot enter the electronic device via the first vent opening 211 and the second vent opening 231 of the rack 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, in disassembly of the shield 40, fingers of user are inserted in the receiving holes of 436 of the pair of locks 43. The pair of bent pieces 432 are elastically bent towards each other. The guiding edges 439 slide along edges of the pair notches 213 to guide the engaging tabs 437 out of the pair of notches 213. Then, the shield 40 can be lifted out of the shield receiving room 29.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A fan assembly, comprising: a rack defining a first vent opening and a second vent opening aligned with the first vent opening, and a pair of notches located adjacent the first vent opening; a fan mounted in the rack and aligned with the second vent opening; and a shield received in the rack and aligned with the first vent opening, a pair of symmetrical locks connected to the shield, each of the pair of locks comprising an engaging tab which comprises a slanted guiding edge; wherein the engaging tabs of the pair of locks are configured to move between a locking position and a release position; in the locking position, the engaging tabs of the pair of locks are engaged in the pair of notches to secure the shield in the rack; and in the release position, the engaging tabs are guided by the guiding edges of the pair of locks to escape from the pair of notches by elastically bent the pair of locks towards each other.
 2. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of locks comprises a connection piece, a bent piece, and a clasp piece; the connection piece is connected to the shield, the bent piece is perpendicularly connected to a distal end of the connection piece, and the clasp piece is perpendicularly connected to a top end of the bent piece; and the engaging tab is formed on an edge of the clasp piece.
 3. The fan assembly of claim 2, wherein the engaging tab is formed in a triangle.
 4. The fan assembly of claim 3, wherein the guiding edge of each of pair of locks is slantwise connected to the edge of the clasp piece, the engaging tab comprises a blocking edge which is perpendicular to the edge of the clasp piece, the blocking edge is connected to the guiding edge of each of pair of locks, and the blocking edge is adapted to abut the shield when the engaging tabs engage in the pair of notches.
 5. The fan assembly of claim 4, wherein a handle is connected to a free end of the clasp piece, the blocking edge is adjacent to the bent piece, and the guiding edge of each of pair of locks is adjacent to the handle; and the handle defines a receiving hole for handling.
 6. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the shield defines a frame opening corresponding to the first vent opening, and a plurality of shielding pieces are pivotally mounted in the frame opening and adapted to shield the frame opening by gravity.
 7. The fan assembly of claim 6, wherein the shield comprises a plurality of bars, and each of the plurality of shielding pieces is configured to rotate until each of the plurality of shielding pieces abuts corresponding blocking bar.
 8. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the rack comprises a limiting piece separating the shield from the fan.
 9. A fan assembly, comprising: a rack comprising a first side wall and a second side wall parallel to the first side wall, a first vent opening located in the first side wall, a second vent opening located in the second side wall, the second vent opening aligned with the first vent opening, a pair of notches defined in the first side wall; a fan mounted in the rack and aligned with the second vent opening; and a shield comprising a frame opening, the shield received in the rack and located between the fan and the first side wall, a plurality of shielding pieces pivotally mounted in the frame opening and adapted to shield the frame opening by gravity, the shield comprising a pair of locks; wherein the pair of locks are configured to engage in the pair of notches to secure the shield in the rack, and the fan is adapted to blow and rotate the plurality of shielding pieces to define an air passage between two adjacent shielding pieces.
 10. The fan assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the pair of locks comprising an engaging tab, and the engaging tabs of the pair of locks are configured to be inserted in the pair of notches.
 11. The fan assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the pair of locks comprises a connection piece, a bent piece, and a clasp piece; the connection piece is connected to the shield, the bent piece is perpendicularly connected to a distal end of the connection piece, and the clasp piece is perpendicularly connected to a top end of the bent piece; and the engaging tab is formed on an edge of the clasp piece.
 12. The fan assembly of claim 11, wherein the engaging tab is formed in a triangle.
 13. The fan assembly of claim 12, wherein the engaging tab comprises a guiding edge which is slantwise connected to the edge of the clasp piece, the engaging tab comprises a blocking edge which is perpendicular to the edge of the clasp piece, the blocking edge is connected to the guiding edge, and the blocking edge is configured to abuts the shield when the engaging tabs are inserted in the pair of notches.
 14. The fan assembly of claim 13, wherein a handle is connected to a free end of the clasp piece, the blocking edge is adjacent to the bent piece, and the guiding edge is adjacent to the handle, the handle defines a receiving hole for handling.
 15. The fan assembly of claim 9, wherein the shield comprises a plurality of bars, and each of the plurality of shielding pieces is configured to rotate until each of the plurality of shielding pieces abuts corresponding blocking bar.
 16. The fan assembly of claim 9, wherein the rack comprises a limiting piece separating the shield from the fan. 